About Chiropractic & Osteopathic Medical Care
Dr. Waldt is both a Chiropractor & Medical Physician. His medical specialty is called Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (NMM). Dr. Waldt also has a Master's Degree in Human Anatomy. Let's define and describe what all this means, okay?
Chiropractors are university-trained healthcare professionals, with an emphasis on the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic education is a 5-year program of post-graduate academic and clinical study following 4 years of undergraduate college. Chiropractic is concerned with maintaining and improving spinal health of patients so that they can recover from various injuries and pain patterns naturally, without the use of medications.
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) are licensed physicians who practice a whole-person approach in every medical specialty. We look beyond your symptoms to understand how lifestyle and environmental factors impact your well-being, and complete extensive postgraduate and clinical training before becoming fully licensed physicians. DOs practice medicine according to the latest science and technology, but also consider less aggressive options which may complement pharmaceuticals and surgery.
As both a chiropractor and medical physician, Dr. Waldt focuses his efforts on the spine and nervous system. Dr. Waldt's medical specialty is called Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (NMM).
A Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine physician is a doctor who specializes in using hands-on, osteopathic evaluation and manipulative medicine to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions. NMM doctors focus on the relationship between your health and your neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, bones, skull and spine).
Dr. Waldt is well-trained in using prescription medications and injections to reduce pain and improve function. And sometimes medications & injections are helpful for palliation. But, in addition to treating symptoms, Dr. Waldt suggests we correct the cause of the problem with gentle osteopathic treatment and spinal adjustments, rather than simply covering up the symptoms with pills and needles.
Some common conditions that Chiropractors & Osteopathic Physicians help to manage:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headache/migraine
- Pinched nerves
- Scoliosis pain management and monitoring
- Shoulder problems
- Hip/Knee/Foot Pain
- Joint pain and dysfunction
- Pain relief during pregnancy
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Weight Loss
- ...and much more!
What is a Spinal Adjustment or Osteopathic Treatment?
Spinal adjustments are concerned with restoring correct movement patterns to your spine in order to reduce pain and increase natural mobility and function.
Dr. Waldt will use various gentle techniques-- both hands-on and instrument-aided techniques-- to adjust your spine, thus restoring the correct spinal movement. The techniques he will use are dependent on your body, and your condition.
What to expect at Dr. Waldt's office:
Step 1 - Complimentary Consultation: In order to give you the best help possible, we must first determine if we are the right people to help you. During your complimentary consultation we will take a thorough clinical history, and listen to how your problem has been presenting, and what your goals are. If we feel we can help you, you will move on to a paid examination. If however, we think that your case would be better managed elsewhere, we will be sure to refer you to the right people.
Step 2 - Examination: So that we can establish an accurate diagnosis, we will perform a comprehensive physical examination. Neurological, orthopedic, and musculoskeletal examinations and tests will be performed. You may at this stage be referred for X-rays (case dependent).
Step 3 - Report of our findings: Once we've compiled all of the necessary information needed to make an accurate diagnosis, we will present our findings in a clear and concise manner to ensure you are well-informed. We make sure that you understand exactly what is going on with your body. There will be no hidden surprises here.
Step 4 - Personalized Treatment Plan: Based on our findings, your symptomatic presentation, and your goals, we will create an individualized treatment plan designed to get you feeling and functioning better. In addition to the in-office adjustments, we will provide you with rehabilitative exercises and stretches, plus give you advice on lifestyle factors such as stress reduction, support braces, home-based palliative measures, and ergonomics. We will also recommend medication, as needed. We'll always do our best to work within your budget.
Step 5 - Review Process: We want to make sure that you are improving, which is why we take the time to reevaluate your condition after a period of treatment, this keeps you moving in the right direction.